The MBTA has been struggling to restore service after a massive amount of snow fell on the state, beginning with the blizzard in late January. Beverly Scott, MBTA general manager, said “tremendous progress” had been made in an “absolutely unbelievable recovery” effort. She also said that the commuter rail system is “still having challenges,” operating at a little over 60 percent. Scott said the MBTA woes this winter had sounded several “wakeup calls,” and that the system needs more investment. A look back at our recent public transit woes, due to an unusually harsh winter.
—
By Bill GreeneEarlier in February, a snow-covered third rail caused a T train in Quincy to get stuck. Passengers had to be evacuated by the Quincy Fire Department.
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)

Pre-Lenten celebrations around the globe, including Carnival and Mardi Gras, wrapped up earlier this week before the marking of Ash Wednesday. Historians say the tradition dates back to Roman times, when the newly converted Christians retained vestiges of their pagan festival, “Lupercalia,” as a period of celebration before the penance during the 40 days of Lent.
—
By Lloyd YoungThe Queen of Panama City carnival Onissis Samaniego participates during a parade of the Panama City carnival in Panama City, Panama, on Feb. 16.
(Alejandro Bolivar/EPA)

The Westminster Kennel Club 139th Annual Dog show took place this week, filling Manhattan with thousands of competitors, including 192 different canine breeds. Owners and dogs traveled from around the world to participate in this iconic event.
—
By Leanne Burden SeidelJim Grieco, a cameraman for the USA Network, films Bloodhound Nathan in the benching area of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, Feb. 16, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
(Mary Altaffer/Associated Press)

In Japan, winter festivals in the past week make for interesting visual juxtapositions. Snow and Ice festivals display large illuminated sculptures for the public to enjoy. In Shingu, the end of winter is celebrated by thousand of men lighting torches on a mountain shrine.
—
By Leanne Burden SeidelJapanese men wear Fundoshi, a traditional Japanese undergarment and pray during the purifying body wash ceremony ahead of attending the Oto fire festival. The male-only festival celebrates the close of winter and sees nearly 2000 men run down the 538 steep stone steps from the mountain shrine. The day begins at dusk with Noboriko preparing themselves by bathing in saltwater during a purifying ceremony on a beach in Oiigahama.
(Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The record-breaking snow amounts just keep piling up since the blizzard that hit the Northeast in late January, causing major commuting issues, damage to property, and sore backs across the region.
—
By Lloyd YoungA long line formed in North Quincy Wednesday morning with commuters waiting for some 2 hours to take a shuttle bus to the JFK Red Line station.
(David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)

The heavy fighting in Ukraine has returned this past month, with leaders around the world hoping for a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Photographers have captured the lives of the soldiers on both sides and the civilians living among the destruction and bloodshed.
—
By Leanne Burden SeidelA woman cries as she waits for humanitarian aid near a Ukrainian serviceman stands nearby in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, Feb. 6. Convoys of buses converged from two sides on the town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine after separatist rebels and government forces appeared to have patched together a truce to allow civilians to be evacuated.
(Gleb Garanich/Reuters)

Here’s a look at just some of the best images taken by Globe photographers last month including the coverage of winter storms, a new governor taking office and the Patriots playoff run to the Super Bowl.
—
By Lloyd YoungNoah Bicchieri, 29, and his dog, Caruso, walked through deep snow between houses on Plum Island.
(Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

The Patriots are chasing their fourth NFL championship, but the defending champion Seahawks stand in their way in Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona.
Brandon LaFell scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl XLIX on an 11-yard pass from Tom Brady.
(Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)